The Basics
Score: MNU 1 - Benedictine 3
Record: MNU (4-5, 0-2)
Location: Atchison, Kan. – Ralph Nolan Gymnasium
Set Scores: 27-25, 16-25, 24-26, 8-25

ATCHISON, Kan. – MNU took the opening set and came within two points of taking a 2-1 match lead, but Benedictine pulled away to hand the Pioneers a 27-25, 16-25, 24-26, 8-25 loss on Saturday.

The Pioneers were sharp offensively in the opener, putting down 18 kills and hitting .267. MNU and Benedictine traded the lead throughout the set before the Pioneers finished off the 27-25 victory.

Benedictine responded in the second, holding MNU to seven kills and a -.029 hitting percentage in a 25-16 win. The third proved to be the pivotal set. MNU bounced back with 14 kills and battled the Ravens into extra points before Benedictine escaped 26-24 to take a 2-1 match lead.

The Ravens carried that momentum into the fourth and closed out the match 25-8. Benedictine hit .520 in the final set with 14 kills and only one attack error.

Mia Olson led MNU with 13 kills while hitting .400. Dominika Bartosz added 10 kills, Daelyn Cross finished with eight and Kennedy Smalley had seven. Anna DeGraffenreid recorded 19 assists and Macie Metcalf added 18, while Emily Mathis anchored the defense with 25 digs. MNU finished with 44 kills and 71 digs.

Turning Point
Benedictine took the third set 26-24.

Individual Leaders
Mia Olson: 13 kills, .400 hitting
Dominika Bartosz: 10 kills, 8 digs
Anna DeGraffenreid: 19 assists, 9 digs, 1 ace
Macie Metcalf: 18 assists, 9 digs
Emily Mathis: 25 digs
Nayeli Rodriguez: 7 digs, 1 ace

Up Next
The next match is Tuesday at Park at 7:00.